The way a dish looks has been important to the dining experience since forever, but perhaps never more than now. Relaxed and homey. Or vibrant and celebratory. And perhaps shareable, too.
“Chefs know that guests spend a lot of time looking at their plates,” says Chandra Ram, associate editorial director of Food & Wine magazine.
“So it’s another detail, before you eat, to help set the stage for a visual experience. This is especially true for dishes they know are going to make it onto Instagram — a beautiful plate makes for a better (and more shareable) image, which helps market the restaurant.”
As with restaurants, so with the home.
Design is all over new tableware. The classic white ceramic circle has ceded some ground to plates in a variety of creative shapes and colors.
“Chefs and restaurants are moving away from traditional ways of food presentation,” says Thomas Kastl, director of dining at Ambiente, the global homewares trade fair in Frankfurt each year. “The latest trend embraces handmade-style tableware, or irregular shapes inspired by nature, like leaves or shells.”
1 person was arrested after 3 people were injured in a 'major incident' at a Welsh school
Your guide to a year in Greece: Time your trip to get the best of the country's historic sites
Joe Biden Inauguration: World hopes for renewed cooperation with US under Biden
Revealed: Hilariously scathing one
Kansas' governor vetoed tax cuts again over their costs. Some fellow Democrats backed it
Chinese miners trapped underground for more than a week send out note to raise survival hopes
Tipping etiquette: Your questions answered
Couple swapped the U.S for Germany 'to be near the most beautiful mountains in the world'
Imprisoned man indicted in 2012 slaying of retired western Indiana farmer
Crackdown on phone scammers leads to cutback in victim numbers
Nicole Brown's sister says she 'knows' OJ Simpson was guilty but has 'forgiven' him
Efeso Collins' funeral to be held in Auckland on Thursday